GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF GLUTINOUS CORN

( Zea mays L.) AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT FREQUENCY

OF WATER MANAGEMENT

JERONIEL B. BINTOKAN
(Researcher)

Republic of the Philippines

TARLAC COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Camiling, Tarlac
I. INTRODUCTION

Corn is the second most important crop not only in the Philippines but also in

other countries. The importance of corn in the daily lives of the Filipinos counts much

because of the many uses derived from it. It is the second staple food of Filipinos, use as

raw materials in many packing industries and an important ingredient in the livestock

feeds. There are many uses aside from human and animals feeds such as source of

alcohol and oil.

Because of those advantages from corn and corn by-products, corn production

should be increased. One factor that can improve corn production is through proper

irrigation or water management. Plants need large quantities of water for growth.  The

most important factor driving water movement in plants is a process known as

transpiration.  Transpiration is the loss of water from plants in the form of vapor

(evaporation).  Plants utilize most of the water absorbed from the soil for transpiration

(95%), but a small portion of the water absorbed is used during photosynthesis for

producing the carbohydrates necessary for plant growth (5%).  The rate of transpiration is

dependent on water availability within the plant (and soil) and on sufficient energy to

vaporize water.  Most energy supporting transpiration is derived directly from the sun

(solar radiation).  Sunny, hot weather increases the rate of transpiration and thus the risk

for wilting if adequate water is not available.

Because of this, the research study will be conducted to determine the growth and

yield performance of glutinous corn as affected by different frequency of water

management and the result will serve as a guide to corn growers to boost its production.
Objectives

1. Determine the growth and yield performance of glutinous corn as affected by

different frequency of water management.

2. Determine the best frequency of water management on the production of glutinous

corn.

3. Determine the profitability of producing glutinous corn as affected by different

frequency of water management.

Time and Place of the Study

The study will be conducted at Tarlac College of Agriculture from November

2015 to February 2016.

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Bouwer (2007) reported that good water management will go a long way to meet

this challenge and help reap the benefits of irrigation by avoiding over-watering that

wastes water and energy, and increases disease, nutrient leaching, and contamination.  As

water resources become limiting due to population growth, competition, regulation,

drought, and quality degradation, efficient and wise use of irrigation water in agriculture

will be increasingly more important. 

Le and McQueen-Mason (2006) stated that as with other climatic factors, water

can possibly cause unfavorable effects on plant growth and development. Excess water in

the soil can injure flood prone plants, like corn (maize), due to lack of oxygen. In this

case water stress due to flooding means oxygen stress by deficiency (hypoxia) or total

absence (anoxia). 

According to FAO (2011) irrigation typically doubles farm yields and the number

of crops grown in one year is increased from 1 to 2.

In corn, irrigating too late causes yield loss while irrigating too much wastes

energy, water, money and can leach nutrients beyond the root zone. The most simple and

practical way of scheduling corn irrigation is to use the moisture balance or check-book

method. This helps a grower keep up with an estimated amount of available water in the

field as the crop grows. The objective is to maintain a record of incoming and outgoing

water so that an adequate balance amount is maintained for crop growth

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 Kranz et al. (2008) stated that seasonal water requirements for high-yielding corn

range from 20 to 30 inches per year depending on planting date, maturity group, location,

and weather. Corn requires the most water during the early reproductive growth stages,

which are also the most sensitive stages to water stress. When corn does not receive

enough water to meet ET (evapotranspiration) demands during this critical water use

period, significant reductions in yield can occur. Corn uses very little water during the

seedling stage. Irrigation is not recommended immediately following planting in regions

where early-season precipitation and stored soil moisture are adequate for seedling

emergence and early plant development. Without the plant canopy to shade the soil

surface, much of the irrigation would be lost to evaporation. Farmers should rely on

stored soil moisture and natural precipitation as much as possible during the early growth

stages. The vegetative stages of corn are often considered the least sensitive stages to

water stress.

Alvino and Zerbi (2004) stated that an adequate supply of soil water is essential

for plant growth and for transporting plant nutrients to roots, but excess water in the root

zone is a problem for most crops. Excess soil water can result in reduced yields in a

variety of ways. If it takes longer for soil to dry out in the spring, planting may be

delayed. If the seeds are planted in relatively wet soils, the seeds may fail to germinate or

may die soon after germination. If waterlogging (when soil pores are filled with water for

an appreciable length of time) occurs after germination, the young plants may not

survive. High water tables in the field will restrict the growth of roots, rendering plants

more susceptible to disease, nutrient deficiency, and drought. Two particular problems
could be the deficiency of nitrogen due either to leaching or to de nitrification and the

development of toxic substances, both caused by lack of oxygen in the soil.

Traore et al. (2000) stated that water stress can affect growth, development, and

physiological processes of corn plants, which can reduce biomass and, ultimately, grain

yield due to a reduction in the number of kernel per ear or the kernel weight.

The limitation of water resources in arid and semi-arid areas was the main reason

that we considered water as the most important material in the production lines, although

people oftenly do not obey the irrigation water consumption rules and regulations. In

such conditions, the alternative furrow irrigation method is economically not applicable

in modern management of irrigation on fields. Due to the sensitivity of corn to water

deficit (Cakir et al. 2004).

Rasidi (2006) reported that providing the optimum conditions and enough water is

one of the problems of farmers in the arid and semi-arid areas during the plants growth

period. Water deficit is one of the major and common non-synthesis stresses that increase

the water consumption efficiency and yield of field’s product in the arid and semi-arid

areas.

Deficit irrigation is an optimal strategy for agricultural production under water

scarcity conditions which causes increase in efficient water consumption by the influence

of removing the inefficient irrigations and reducing the volume of irrigation without any

negative effect on net income in each turn of irrigation (Ghorbani 2009).

The yield loss due to water stress will depend on the growth stage of corn during

the drought stress as well as the length and severity of the drought. Corn is most sensitive

(highest potential yield loss) to water stress during pollination, followed by grain-filling,
and vegetative growth stages. Water stress during vegetative growth stages will reduce

stem and leaf cell expansion as well as dry matter accumulation due to lower water and

CO2 intake. This results in reduced plant height and leaf area, and lower yield potential.

Severe moisture stress is indicated by leaf wilting. Corn plants in the initial phases of

drought wilt in the afternoon. During longer periods of drought, wilting occurs earlier in

the day. Eventually, leaves remain wilted all day. A 10 to 20% yield reduction may occur

if drought stress occurs during vegetative stages of corn. Moisture stress during

pollination is the most critical for reducing yield potential of corn. Severe moisture stress

will result in delayed silking and reduced pollination due to lack of viable pollen and

reduced synchronization between silking and pollination. Under severe stress, some

plants will not form any silks, or silks will emerge after pollen production has ended;

therefore, resulting in poorly developed ears. The moisture stress during this stage may

cause up to 50% yield reduction. Kernels, especially near the tip of the ear, are most

susceptible to abortion during the first two weeks following pollination. Tip kernels are

generally fertilized last and are less vigorous. During the kernel dough stage, yield losses

are mainly due to reductions in kernel dry weight accumulation. Stress during dough and

dent stages will decrease kernel weights and often causes premature black layer

formation. Once grain has reached the physiological maturity, moisture stress will have

no further physiological effect on final yield. High plant populations in moisture-limiting

environments increase moisture stress and silking problems, which lead to reduced kernel

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III. MATERIALS AND METHODS

Land preparation

The area of 342 m2 will be prepared thoroughly by alternate plowing and

harrowing until the desired friability of the soil is obtained. The area will be laid out in a

Factorial Experiment Randomized Complete Block Design (FERCBD) with two (2) way

factors and three (3) replications that will be used in this study. Each plot has a dimension

of 2 meter wide and 3 meter long separated by alleyways of 1.5 meter between blocks

and between plots.

The following treatments are as follows:

Factor A: Variety of corn

V1 – Klasica F1

V2 - Klasica F2

Factor B: Frequency of water management

T1 - irrigation will be done at 15and 30DAP

T2 - irrigation will be done at 15, 30 and 45 DAP

T3 - irrigation will be done at 15, 30, 45 and 60 DAP

Layout

Block I Block II Block II

V1T3 V1T2 V1T2

V1T1 V2T3 V2T2

V2T1 V1T1 V1T3

V2T2 V2T2 V2T1

V1T2 V2T1 V2T3

V2T3 V1T3 V1T1

Seeding and Planting

Two (2) corn seeds will be directly sown, at a distance of 50 cm between rows

and 25 cm between hills.

Thinning

Thinning will be done 2 weeks after planting to maintain 1 plant per hills and 11

plants per rows.

Fertilization Application

The amounts of fertilizers to be applied will be based on the result of the soil

analysis.
Cultivation and Weeding

Cultivation and hand weeding will be done in order to aerate the soil and prevent

weed growth. Off barring will be done two weeks after planting. Hilling up will be done

one month after planting. Hand weeding will be done between the plants to control weed

growths and to avoid competition for nutrient, water and light.

Irrigation/ Water management

Proper maintenance of water through irrigation and drainage will do to maintain

the normal growth of corn plant. The corn plants will be irrigated base from the

treatments.

Treatment No. of irrigation Days to irrigate

T1 Irrigate twice 15 and 30 DAP

T2 Irrigate trice 15, 30 and 45 DAP

T3 Irrigate 4x 15, 30, 45, and 60 DAP

Control Pest and Diseases

Regular monitoring of plants will be done in order to determine the occurrence of

insect pest and diseases. Proper spraying of appropriate insecticides will be done when

high population of insect pest is observed.

Harvesting

The corn ear will be harvested when the ears are already tender green and matured

or 70 days after planting.

Data to be Gathered

Ten representative plants from each plot in the two inner rows will be randomly

selected to determine the different data which are as follows;

1. Final height of corn at harvest, this will be taken by measuring the plants from the

base to tip of the tallest leaf using meter stick.

2. Number of corn ear per plants, the number of the corn ears of 10 sample plants will

be counted and recorded.

3. Length of husked corn ear, the length of husked corn ears of 10 sample plants will be

measured from the base to tip of corn ear using meter stick.

4. Diameter of husked corn ear, the diameter of husked corn ears of 10 sample plants

will be measured by using caliper.

5. Weight of husked corn ear per plot, this is done by weighing the husked corn ears

from the two inner plot rows excluding end hills.

6. Computed yield per hectare, the actual yield of husked corn ear per plot will be

computed to hectare basis.

7. Cost and Return Analysis, the cost and return analysis of corn will be computed.
Data Analysis

Data will analyze using the Analysis of Factorial Experiment Randomize

Complete Block Design (FERCBD) and the treatments means will be compared using the

Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT).

LITERATURE CITED

ALVINO, A., and G. ZERBI. 2004. Water table level effects on the yield of irrigated
and unirrigated grain maize. TRANSACTIONS of the ASAE 29(4): 1086-1089.

BOUWER, H. 2007. Water management. In: J. van Schilfgaarde (Ed.). Drainage of

Agricultural Lands. Agronomy 17:67-79.

CAKIR, R. 2004. Effect of water stress at different development stages on vegetative

and reproductive growth of corn. Field Crops. 89: 1-16.

[FAO] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2011. Fast facts:
The state of world’s land and water resources. Retrieved Mar. 24, 2013 from

GHORBANLI, M., HASHEMI MOGHADDAM SH., FALLAH, A. 2006. Study of

Interaction Effects of Irrigation and Nitrogen on Some Morphological and
Physiological Characteristic of Rice Plant (Oryza sativa L.). JOURNAL OF
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES Islamic Azad University No.2pp415-428

LE TN, MCQUEEN-MASON SJ. 2006. Desiccation-tolerant plants in dry

environments. In: Amils R, Ellis-Evans C, Hinghofer-Szalkay H, editors. 2007.
Life in Extreme Environments. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. p. 269-279.

 KRANZ, W.L., IRMAK, S., VAN DONK, S.J., YONTS, C.D., and MARTIN, D.L.
2008. Irrigation management for corn. NebGuide G1850. University of
Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.

RASIDI, M., REZADOOST, S., 2006. Effects of different irrigation levels on

quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sunflower hybrids. Journal of
Agricultural Sciences 5:1241-1250.

TRAORE, S.B., CARLSON, R.E., PILCHER, C.D., RICE, M.E., 2000. BT and non-
BT maize growth and development as affected by temperature and drought stress.
Agro. J. 92, 1027–1035.

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